BuyCheapDVD.COM Don't Just Buy DVD, Buy Cheap DVD.: Robert Duvall

While To Kill a Mockingbird is esteemed for the central performance of a commanding Gregory Peck, one has to remember that the movie essentially hinges on one mostly unseen specter, a mute, possibly deranged character named Boo Radley. To Kill a Mockingbird's major themes include prejudice and mythmaking, and the legend of Boo Radley parallels the film's concept of the evils of judging people before getting to know them. Obviously, when Boo Radley makes his heroic appearance at the end, it would require an actor capable of commanding the audience's attention away from Peck but without destroying the film's tender tone.

Enter Robert Duvall.

After a short stint on television, the legendary character actor made his movie debut here. He portrays Radley as a kind of gentle Frankenstein's monster: imposing yet obviously frightened, he gives his character the necessary weight of humanity.

Ever since then, Duvall has led an incredible, yet humble career, never greedy for the lead role but always ready to key up a perfect performance every time the camera is on him. It's easy to point out the roles he's had in the Godfather series, Apocalypse Now, Network, and The Great Santini. But it doesn't speak to his fine comedic skills, holding his own against the likes of Will Ferrell and Michael Caine, or the fact that he's still making great movies even into his seventies. In the past year, he has knocked it out of the park three times with The Road, Get Low, and Crazy Heart.